Bhullar takes a lead with 5-under-par 66 at the Thailand Open

Bangkok: Indian hotshot Gaganjeet Bhullar continued his fine form by signing for a five-under-par 66 to grab a share of the halfway lead with young Thai talent Rattanon Wannasrichan at the US$300,000 Thailand Open on Friday.

Gaganjeet Bhullar of India

"I pretty much played the same way like I played yesterday. I gave myself a lot of birdie opportunities. I made six birdies yesterday and six birdies today. I just made one mistake on the eighth hole today and that’s about it.

I hit more greens in regulation yesterday and I missed a few today. It wasn’t as windy today. It was pretty calm out there. I had quite a few good birdies. I got off to a good start with a birdie on the first."

Starting the day with a three-shot deficit, the 29-year-old Bhullar traded six birdies against one bogey to move atop the leaderboard with overnight co-leader Rattanon, who battled to a 69, on 11-under-par 131 total at the scenic Thai Country Club.

"This is my first time leading into the third round in an Asian Tour event. I am not thinking too much about that. I just want to have fun. The year has been pretty solid so far with two top-five results. A win will be great of course but I won’t give myself too much pressure." said Wannasrichan.

Local prospect Pawin Ingkhapradit returned with the day’s best score of 62 to trail the leading duo by one in third place while compatriot Panuphol Pittayarat, who is playing on his home course this week, posted a bogey-free 69 to sit in fourth on 133.

Indian stalwart Jeev Milkha Singh rolled back the years in style by signing for a flawless 63. He sits three shots off the pace in fifth place alongside a host of players, which includes Ben Leong (64) of Malaysia, Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat (68) and Australian Scott Barr (67), who turned 45 years old today.

Rattanon Wannasrichan of Thailand

"Everything fell in place today. I drove the ball really solid and I holed a lot of putts. I made a good birdie on the second hole today. My ball landed on the slope of the bunker and I didn’t have a shot there. I pitched it to the green and ran it to about four feet and holed that for birdie." added Jeep Milkha Singh

"I had another good birdie on the difficult par-three sixth hole. I hit a four-iron to just over the pin and holed the putt there. I was three-under after nine and I thought I might as well go all out, enjoy the game and see how low I can get. I was trying to shoot as low as possible and it went my way."

Reigning Order of Merit champion Scott Hend of Australia posted a 67 to move into a share of 18th place on 136. American David Lipsky, after opening with a 74, bounced back with a 67 to barely make the halfway cut set at one-under-par 141.

The Thailand Open, inaugurated in 1965, is also the first leg of the newly launched Panasonic Swing, which provides a bonus pool across five designated tournaments.